To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 with respect to the issuance of quality control guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.
This bill would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to add a formal public-comment requirement for new or updated quality control guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture (i.e., USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service) related to SNAP. Specifically, before finalizing any guidance that would cause state SNAP agencies to change their quality control systems, procedures, staffing, or that would affect verification requirements for SNAP recipients, the Secretary must provide public notice and allow at least 60 days for comment. There is an exception allowing interim final guidance to be issued in urgent cases, with notice and comment requirements occurring simultaneously. The measure is introduced by Representative Moore of Alabama. In short, the bill adds transparency and public participation to the development of quality control guidance for SNAP, potentially affecting how states conduct quality reviews and verify eligibility, and it introduces a formal process for stakeholder input prior to finalizing guidance.
Key Points
- 1What triggers the requirement: Any new or updated quality control guidance that proposes substantive changes to how quality control reviews are conducted, including changes to state systems, procedures, staffing, or that impacts SNAP recipient verification requirements.
- 2Public comment period: The Secretary must provide notice and a public comment period of at least 60 days before finalizing such guidance.
- 3Scope of applicability: Applies to guidance that would require state agencies to alter their QC systems, procedures, staffing, or that would affect verification requirements for SNAP recipients.
- 4Urgent-Needs exception: In cases of urgent and immediate need, the Secretary may issue interim final guidance at the same time as the notice and comment requirements.
- 5Overall intent: Increase transparency and stakeholder input in the development of quality control guidance for SNAP, potentially altering implementation timelines and the considerations used to shape QC practices.